The Smartest Dropout I Know is Rikki Schlott (Ep. 370)

The Smartest Dropout I Know…

Rikki Schlott was studying at NYU during Covid – one of the most expensive universities in the country. Like most of her contemporaries, she found the Zoom version of her college education to be…lacking. And she was likewise disappointed that NYU didn’t lower its already sky-high tuition during the lockdowns. In fact, she was appalled when they actually raised it. I’m not sure if that was the straw that broke the camel’s back, because by this point, Rikki Schlott was disappointed with NYU and higher education on multiple levels, and might have quit for any number of reasons. The point is, Rikki finally had enough. She dropped out of a very prestigious university to pursue a different kind of education. An education rooted in apprenticeship, hands-on learning, real-world experience, and relentless curiosity. Today, she’s a best-selling author at 23 years of age, and someone worth listening to – especially if you are a parent with kids who are in college, considering college, or considering getting out of college. Her book, written with my friend Greg Lukianoff, is called, “The Canceling of the American Mind,” and like Rikki, it’s awesome. You should read it. After you listen to our conversation, of course here.

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